Water Service Technician I

Definition

Under general supervision, maintains water meters, reads meters and records readings; assists in the installation, repair and replacement of water mains, water meters, fire hydrants and other water facilities; computes water consumption; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Water Service Technician I is the entry/journey level class in the series, distinguished from the Technician II in that the Technician I does not regularly operate heavy equipment in the construction or perform repair work to the water system. Assignments are generally limited in scope and require the incumbent to make choices or decisions within established procedures and/or policies. As experience accrues, the incumbent performs with increasing independence. Work requires incumbent to exercise some judgment in selecting appropriate established guidelines to follow; significant deviations require prior approval. Interpretation of general administrative or operational policies is sometimes necessary.

Supervision Exercised/Received

Receives general supervision from the Water Service Supervisor; may receive technical or functional supervision from the Water Service Technician II or III.

Examples of Essential Duties

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive.

Tests and calibrates meters to departmental standards;

Keeps a record of new meter installations and exchanges;

Repairs leaks in service assemblies;

Reads meters and records readings;

Installs, replaces, repairs, inspects and maintains residential and commercial water meters and hydrant meters used by construction firms;

Installs, replaces and repairs fire hydrant assemblies;

Assists in the installation, repair and maintenance of the City's water system, including water mains, water service lines, and hydrants;

Computes water consumption;

Performs safety inspections of equipment and machinery;

Reports defects and irregularities to supervisor;

Turns water service off and on as appropriate;

Receives and responds to inquiries and complaints from customers and the general public regarding water service;

Responds to emergency calls during work and after normal working hours;

Assists in the training of new and lower classification employees.

Examples of Other Duties

The following duties represent duties that are generally performed by this position, but are not considered to be principal job duties:

Maintains and cleans equipment and tools; maintains a clean and orderly workplace;

May distribute notices to water customers;

May maintain field reports, work orders;

performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualification Guidelines

Knowledge of

Basic mechanical principles;

The use of hand and power tools;

Accepted methods of repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of water meters;

Safety rules and precautions related to the use of tools, vehicles and equipment;

Proper procedures in lifting or moving heavy objects;

General public relations techniques.

Ability to

Read meter dials and records readings.

Make arithmetical calculations.

Perform assigned tasks without close supervision

Communicate effectively orally.

Read and understand work orders, drawings, maps, etc.

Operate equipment and tools with skill and safety.

Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers, the public, other City departments and individuals from other agencies.

Learn City policies and procedures affecting departmental operations, generally City operations and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

License/Certification Required

Must possess and maintain an appropriate, valid California driver's license; and a State of California Department of Public Health Water Distribution License, Grade D1.

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

One year of full time experience in the repair of mechanical equipment and six months of experience in a position involving public contact; and equivalent to a high school diploma.

Special Requirements

Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands and/or working conditions:

Requires the ability to exert a considerable amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and to stoop, crouch, climb and lift in the performance of manual labor; to operate a variety of tools, equipment and vehicles; to work around electrical equipment in a safe manner. Tasks require color and visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communications ability. May be subject to uncomfortable working conditions including exposure to dust, noise, heat or cold.

Career Ladder Information

Experience gained in this classification may serve to meet the minimum requirements for promotion to Water Service Technician II and/or Water Service Technician III with appropriate certification.